Newswise — Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, has officially opened its expanded Behavioral Health Unit. Doubling its capacity from 20 to 40 beds, the unit provides comprehensive care for geriatric patients who have both medical and behavioral health challenges that require 24-hour supervision.
Patients in Levindale’s Behavioral Health Unit are taught skills to help them lead productive, satisfying lives through group and individual sessions with Levindale’s highly trained, compassionate staff members.
“Our number one priority is to provide the tools to improve the quality of life of our patients through treatment, knowledge and education, not only for them but for their families and their other health care providers,” says Aric Spitulnik, president and COO of Levindale. “We hope to prevent the need for them to be hospitalized again.” Levindale’s team of professionals works together to come up with individual plans to treat the entire person. As an example, as people age, they may develop diabetes or a heart condition, which could make them feel physically weak. Those changes could cause emotional instability or depression. “To help them on the road to recovery, every patient sees a psychiatrist daily. In addition, he or she may attend group therapy and rehabilitation sessions, if indicated,” says Leslie Peddicord, R.N., clinical leader on the unit. Rehabilitation can consist of physical, occupational, speech and recreation therapies, depending on the patient’s needs. All of Levindale’s programs are offered in structured, safe, stimulating and nurturing environments so that participants can remember what it’s like to be a vital part of the community. Additionally, Levindale is an Eden Alternative center. The Eden philosophy focuses on getting rid of the three plagues of the elderly – loneliness, helplessness and boredom – and replacing them with companionship, empowerment and variety. Levindale is part of LifeBridge Health, one of the largest, most comprehensive providers of health services in Northwest Baltimore. LifeBridge Health also includes Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital, Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, and related subsidiaries and affiliates. For more information, visit www.lifebridgehealth.org.
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